Kevin Eubanks to Participate in Jazz Appreciation Stamp Unveiling

By Tourism Industry Partner

To celebrate America’s musical gift to the world, the U.S. Postal Service has issued the “Jazz Appreciation” Forever Stamp.

Inspired by vintage jazz record-album covers, Pasadena, Calif., artist Paul Rogers captured the eclectic nature of jazz music and the spontaneity and improvisation of jazz artists in creating art for the Jazz Appreciation Forever Stamp.

“With this evocative Jazz stamp, we celebrate the music and the musicians who play it in studios, clubs and concert halls and on festival stages,” said James Bryant, Oklahoma City Postmaster.The Postal Service will be partnering with the BLAC, Inc. organization to conduct a stamp unveiling ceremony of the Jazz Appreciation at the History Center, located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi, Oklahoma City OK.I can’t think of a more perfect partner to dedicate this new stamp than with the BLAC, Inc. organization as they celebrate their 26th year of the Charlie Christian International Jazz Festival.

For dedicated jazz followers as well as stamp collectors, the Postal Service will be conducting a special “pictorial postmark commemorating this event.There will also be a special Jazz Appreciation cachet available for to add to your collection.

“Jazz is a pastime that brings people together, regardless of race, ethnicity or background,” said Bryant.“It’s a lot like the Postal Service, which has been bringing people together for over 235 years, through the power of the mail.”

Legendary jazz guitarist, Kevin Eubanks, who appeared on Jay Leno’s Tonight Show, will be special jazz celebrity guest at the unveiling ceremony.Eubanks will be in Oklahoma City for a special headliner performance in the 2011 Charlie Christian International Music Festival that runs May 31st through June 4th.

The unveiling of the “Jazz Appreciation” Forever Stamp is free and open to the public on Friday, June 3rd at the Oklahoma History Center.Doors open at 9:30 a.m.The program begins at 10:00 a.m. and is sponsored in part by the Friends of the Friends of the Oklahoma Historical Society Archives.